• Sport

Smith (16) stands out at national championship

• 2 Days Ago - 2025-09-01 00:00:00

Hammer thrower Ansuné Smith delivered the only new national record at Athletics Namibia’s senior national track and field championship held at Independence Stadium in Windhoek on Friday and Saturday.
Smith was the only participant in the women’s hammer throw along with her sister Annelize, taking the gold medal with a 45.81m throw. The 16-year-old Ansuné has stated her intentions of going to the USA to advance her career after her school days.
In July, Ansuné won a bronze at the CAA African under-18 championship with a 47.48 metre distance, but with a lighter weight than used by the seniors. The senior national record is believed to be 38.57 m held by Karlien Botha since April 2018.
Men’s national record holders Ryan Williams (discus) and Lionel Coetzee (long jump), who both previously won medals at continental competitions, were among the bigger attractions to the senior national championship and delivered solid performances.
Unam’s sprinter Charley Matundu delivered one of the few surprises when he took gold in the men’s 200 metres in 20.89 seconds ahead of favourites Elton Hoeseb and Elvis Gaseb, in a race that brought great entertainment for the crowd.
The highly sought-after men’s 100 metres title went to !Kharas region’s Magano Naseb, who appears to be the next prospect to take over from the previously dominant Gilbert Hainuca.
Alexandra Scheepers returned from a recent injury to win the women’s high jump ahead of coastal rivals Arizhia van der Walt and Adara Gey von Pittius, who settled for the joint second position.
Sponsorships by FNB Namibia and Caterserve and a tight adherence to the scheduled programme were good indicators, while the exposure of young talent should also be a reason for optimism for the immediate future of the local sport.
The top results (all athletes from Khomas, unless indicated):

WOMEN
100 metres: 1 Jade Nangula 11.67, 2 Hanganeni Fikunawa 12.30, 3 Erin Koff 12.38), 4 Johanna Ludgerus 12.48.
200 metres: 1 Jade Nangula (23.82), 2 Kambiri Kazaatjo (Omaheke) 25.73, 3 Hakurua Javaria (Omaheke) 26.40.
400 metres: =1 Tuuliki Angala 55.94, =1 Kambiri Kazaatjo (Omaheke) 55.94, 3 Napuumue Hengari 56.71.
800 metres: 1 Tuuliki Angala 2:14.15, 2 Hilde Jairus (Kavango West) 2:16.88, 3 Victoria Lisias (Omusati) 2:18.14.
1500 metres: 1 Maria Kanyanga (Kavango West) 4:44.39, 2 Hilde Jairus (Kavango West) 4:44.95, 3 Victoria Lisias (Omusati) 4:56.26.
5,000 metres: 1 Maria Kanyanga (Kavango West) 18:25.24, 2 Frida Kadhiya (Oshana) 18:58.22, 3 Johanna Abraham (Oshikoto) 19:12.45.
10,000 metres: 1 Maria Kanyanga (Kavango West) 39:35.50, 2 Frida Kadhiya (Oshana) 40:01.65, 3 Johanna Abraham (Oshikoto) 42:46.97.
100 hurdles: 1 Lauren Van Niekerk 16.00.
Long jump: 1 Paikea Garas (Kunene) 5.47m), 2 Hitjivirwe Hoveka (Omaheke) 5.01m), 3 Annuschka Eiman(!Kharas) 4.87m.
High jump: 1 Alexandra Scheepers (Khomas) 1.65m, =2 Adara Gey van Pittius (Erongo 1.55m, =2 Arizhia van der Walt (Erongo 1.55m.
Shot put: 1 Marike Weitz 13.43m, 2 Thalicha Raes 12.43m, 3 Elleke Potgieter 11.59m.
Discus throw: 1 Karlien Botha 43.24m, 2 Marike Weitz 42.32m, Elleke Potgieter (Khomas) 37.47m.
Hammer throw: 1 Ansuné Smith 45.81m, 2 Annelize Smith 33.88m.
Javelin: 1 Karla Terblance 32.86m, 2 Hertha Nanutuwa (Erongo) 32.65m, 3 Tresure-Lee van Wyk (Erongo) 29.48m.

MEN
100 metres: 1 Magano Naseb (!Kharas) 10.42, 2 Elton Hoeseb 10.43, 3 C Matundu 10.48.
200 metres: 1 Charley Matundu 20.89, 2 Elton Hoeseb 20.94, 3 Elvis Gaseb (Erongo) 21.09.
400 metres: 1 Elvis Gaseb (Erongo) 45.89, 2 T Kuhanga 46.00, 3 Sem Simanda 48.29.
800 metres: David Dam 1:53.53, 2 Asser Nalukaku 1:53.69, 3 M Angula 1:53.75.
1500 metres: 1 Asser Nalukaku 3:54.97, 2 T Shigwedha (Oshana) 3:55.39, 3 M Angula 4:00.43.
5000 metres: 1 J Hamutima 15:29.10, 2 Enock Haufiku (Oshana) 15:41.94, 3 Jacob Josef (Oshana) 15:47.05.
10,000 metres: 1 X Matheus 31:46.31, 2 Mathew Jesaya 32:07.37, 3 Enock Haufiku (Oshana) 32:19.92.
110 hurdles: 1 Nicholis du Plessis 14.61, 2 Cameron Brandt (Hardap) 19.26, 3 Johan Steyn 26.03.
400 hurdles: 1 Nicholis du Plessis 54.73, 2 Christo van Rooyen 58.64, 3 Sebastian Nayambe 1:02.99.
Long jump: 1 Lionel Coetzee 7.76m, 2 A Kalilo (Erongo) 7.04m, 3 R Shiluma 6.87m.
High jump: 1 Benjamin Hendrikse 2.00m, 2 H Kaulinge 1.90m, S Shikongo (!Kharas) J1.90m.
Javelin: 1 Jasper Engelbrecht 56.38m, 2 R Kaujende 51.80m, L Mumbinda (Erongo) 51.45m.
Shot put: 1 Ryan Williams 14.92m, 2 L’Wyk Viljoen (Erongo) 11.97m, 3 Jasper Engelbrecht 11.51m.
Discus: 1 Ryan Williams 57.10m, 2 L’Wyk Viljoen (Erongo) 41.10m, 2 H Henning 39.84m.
Hammer throw: 1 William van Wyk 24.66m.

PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
Men 400 (T11): 1 Petrus Karuli (T37) 55.37, 2 Shapumba Amavila (T12, Oshana) 1:02.78, 3 Manfred Kapapa (T11, Oshana) 1:05.76.
Women’s 100 (T11): 1 Lahya Iipinge (T12, Oshana) 12.96, 2 Ndapewa Iipinge (T12, Oshana) 14.55, 3 Johanna Benson (T37, Erongo) 14.72.
Men 100 (T11): 1 Bradley Murere (Erongo) 11.71, 2, Michael Muyenga (11.76), 3 Petrus Karuli (T37, Khomas) 12.32.
Women’s 200 (T11): 1 Lahja Iipinge (T12, Oshana) 27.60, 2 Johanna Benson (T37, Erongo) 32.71.
Men 200 (T11): 1 Petrus Karuli (T37, Khomas) 24.49, 2 Leonard Amadila (T11, Khomas) 24.80, 3 Denzil Namene (Erongo) 24.97.